Fluoridation of drinking water

Public drinking-water may be enriched with fluoride to take advantage of its powerful caries-preventing effect. Doubts persist, however, concerning the application of this trace element on account of its toxicity. Fluorosis is the disease caused by excess intake of fluorine.  Fluoride doses only twice those which effectively prevent caries may cause slight disturbances of the calcification of enamel, and doses about 20 times greater, when taken over a long period, are known to cause damage to the skeletal system.  Fluoride can also be found in salt, milk and the food supply.

A study published in Environmental Health Perspectives, one of the most highly respected environmental health publications in the world, found evidence that fluoride is a neurotoxin in children. Researchers also continue to link fluoride exposure to health problems including thyroid disease, cognitive decline and bone loss.

In this 12-year study with women and children, scientists set out to understand the effect that prenatal exposure to fluoride has on children. The results were alarming. The scientists concluded that for every 0.5mg/L increase in maternal urine fluoride, their offspring had approximately a 3.15 and 2.50 lower GCI and IQ scores, respectively, at ages 4 and 6 - 12.

Silicofluorides, or SiF, are used in more than 90 percent of the fluoridated water in the USA. Children (a sample of 150,000) who live in areas where silicofluorides are used were found to be at greater risk of having lead levels in their blood higher than the standard acceptable level. SiF increases the body's ability to absorb lead, which leads to negative effects on intelligence and cognitive abilities, and researchers say the results can be permanent and severe. Along with learning problems, symptoms of high lead levels can include ADD/ADHD symptoms, violent behavior, and drug use.

Fortunately, there is a nationwide movement to remove fluoride from the water supply. Some communities have been successful in removing fluoride due to public demand. However, the majority of Americans still drink fluoridated water.

Water fluoridation in public drinking water has been a controversial subject for decades. Now, finally, a high court in New Zealand has ruled that fluoride in water is like adding unwanted medication to the public water supply. The Court further stated that information reports saying water fluoridation measurably reduces tooth decay without health risk is ‘misinformation.’